Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-01-21


to home with US jest as long as she
lives. She aren't fit to live alone any
way. We knew when her father died
she'd run the place out in no time. Well,
she's takin' on 30, I shell have to go in.
don't like to leave her minute. Don't
you mind anything she said"
Contrary to Mrs. Wings expectations,
Elsie Mills was not disposed to retract
her words. The next day, when she was
peceafully domiciled in her brothers
house, and seemed a little calmer, her
sister-in-law opened on the subject.
What in creation made you talk SO to
William Havers last night?" said she.
Not one man in hundred would have
made you the offer that he did after he'd
bought place."
Elsie fired up at once. II guess
know why" said she. "Luciny gave him
the mitten once-that's why. He's dom
it to show out"
"Why, Elsie Mills, are you in your
right mind?"
"Yes, am. He acted awful cut up.
He never got over it. He always meant
to pay us back. Now he's bought the
place an invited me to live on him, he'll
feel better"
well, l never!"
Mrs. Wing repeated the conversation
to her husband and told him that she
was really scared about Elsie: she did
not act with any reason.
Silas Wing laughed. Don't you
worry, Maria" said he. ELSIE always
had that notion. never really believed
that Luciny give Havers the mitten my
self, but she did, an she always went on
the notion that he was dreadful upset
over it. Elsie's queer. She's mighty
meek an yieldin generally; she seems to
be kinder goin' sideways at things fur
the most part; but if she ever does git
p'inted straight at anything, thar amt
no turnin' her."
DO you remember anything about
. William Havers waitin' on Luciny?"
Eyes. He was round some two years
before she died. l didn't think much
about it. Luciny was always havin'
beaux. An no wonder; thar want
many girls like her. Lord! kin see
her now, jest how she used to look Poor
Elsie want much beside her, but don't
believe she ever give that thought She
thought Luciny was beautiful, an thar
want anything too good fur her. She'd
slave herself most to death to save her.
No; don't you worry, Maria. Elsie's al
ways run on that notion"
Silas Wing was Elsie Mills half
brother; the dead Lucina had been her
own sister. The house which had Just
been sold was her inheritance from her
father.
Silas Wing was an easy, prosperous
man, with shrewd streak in his char
acter. His sisters property was sadly
deteriorated, and poor investment.
He had no idea of sinking money to
secure it for her, but he was perfectly
, willing to provide for her, and gave her
a most cordial invitation to his home.
, He gave Ter front chamber in his
large square white house, and furnished
/ it with her own things, to make it seem
, like home.
Thar amt any reason why Elsie
t shouldn't be as happy as a queen here
. as long as she lives" he told his wife
5 Thar amt many women fare any bet
r ter. She amt much over forty. She'C
r hev to work hard if she was in some
places, an she amt fit to. Now shell
/ jest hev to help you round little, an
live jest as comfortable as can be-"
Elsies chamber commanded a gooc
view of her old home, which was on tn,
; opposite side Of the street, a little further
down. She could see the yard full Of
cinnamon roses, and the blue front door
, which stood out bravely. That blue
door was due to her; she had painted il
herself. Silas had some blue paint lief
after painting his farm wagon, and sht
. had begged it. Then she had stood on
: chair-a small lean figure in clingine
calico-and plastered the brilliant blue
I thickly over the front door, welding tn,
r brush stiffiy in her little knotty hand
| stretching her self up on her slight, long
limbs.
One svening Elsie, at her open cham
: Der window, overheard a conversation
v between her brother and his wife. They
were sitting ON the doorstep.
; "Havers came over tonight" said ST
t las. ~ see him out at the gate as l come
Q along. He's goin' to let his other house
D and live here, he says. 1 declare Pc
hardly think he'd want to- this is SC
r much further from town. But the otherl
il let better, l spose. Reckon that's the
@ reason"
:. rs he goin' to fix this one up?" asked
d Mrs. Wing.
d Yes; he's goin' to paint it up some
d an hev the roof shingled. He wa
4 kinder laughin about that blue door, bu
e he didn't seem to think he'd hev it al
d tered afterward. l told him how poo
5 Elsie painted it herself"
+ Lord! l shouldn't think heidi want t.
keep that blue door"
: HE seemed to think it wouldn't lool
Il bad if the house was painted new to e
, with it. He's goin' to cut down all then
a cinnamon roses in the front yard to-mor
row. He's brought over his sickle to
r night"
/. That was all Elsie heard. She did no
h know how long they talked after that
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